Mixing device



EXAMINER April 29, 1941 w. c. uHRl, JR., ErAl. 2,240,104

MIXING DEVICE Filed March 9, 1940 2 Sheets-Shea?l 1 v u u g April 29, 1941.

W. C. UHRI, JR.,

EXAMINH E -r M 2,240,104

MIXING DEVICE Filed March 9, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill IIIII SY wwwa ww.. ww

w (Mm l THEIR ,4r-ro l H LU MINA Patented Apr. 29, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MIXING DEVICE William C. Uhrl, Jr., and William P. Gruner, St. Louis, Mo.

Application March 9, 1940, Serial No. 323,232

11 Claims.

Our invention relates to iluid mixing devices. It has for its principal object to provide a simple and eiilcient iiuid mixing device which will insure a thorough and complete mixing and which may be adapted to mix either gases or liquids.

Our invention consists principally in providing a mixing chamber having a multiplicity of radially arranged channels opening alternately inwardly and outwardly, said channels having alternating outlet openings and in providing curved mixing blades adjacent to the outlet openings which bisect adjacent channels so as to mix one-half of the iiuid from one channel with one-half of the fluid from an adjacent channel, said mixing blades imparting a whirling motion to the mixture whereby all the iiuid is thoroughly mixed. It further consists in the parts and in lthe combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts wherever they occur,

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view I of a mixing device embodying our invention,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of a mixing device taken on line 2--2 in Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3 3 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. l,

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the mixing chamber of our device,

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the curved mixing blade assembly,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view of a modiiication of a mixing device embodying our invention, taken on line 8-8 in Fig. 10,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 in ber 2 in the end portion oi the central passageway thereof. The end of the pipe or tube has outstanding circumferentially spaced lugs or projections 3 adapted to register with circumferentially spaced lugs or projections 4 at the end of a pipe or tube 5. Cap screws 8 for the lugs 3 and 4 removably secure the end of the air feed pipe I and the end of pipe 5 together.

The mixing chamber 2 in the air feed pipe has a central chamber 'l of the general shape of a truncated cone. 'I'he apex portion of the central chamber has a flaring mouth 8 communieating with a central passageway 9 therein. The lower portion of this central passageway, opposite the mouth thereof is closed by a hub III in the base of the central chamber. The outer wall of the central chamber at the base forms an annular outstanding flange II adapted to seat in a recess I2 formed by the junction of the air feed tube and pipe 5. Extending from fthe mouth of the mixing device to the annular base and preferably integral therewith are a series of radially extending ribs or partitions I3 which form channels between said partitions. Alternate channels Il open into the central passageway and have a wall I5 closing the outer side, and the channels I6 therebetween have no outer wall but instead have an inner wall I1 to prevent any communication with the inner passageway. By this arrangement, a series of sector-like radial channels are formed which open inwardly and outwardly in alternation and haveV adjacent radial outlet openings at the outlet end of the mixing chamber.

Mounted adjacent to the base of the mixing chamber is a. mixing device comprising a series of radially disposed circumferentially spaced blades I8, having their edges adjacent to the mixing chamber straight and whose lower por.

tions are curved or deilected laterally so as to deflect or spin the gas passing therebetween. TheI straight portions of fthe blades bisect the Fig, s, openings leading from the mixing chamber. 'I'he Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line III-Il oui-er ends of the blades have a snug llt with the in Fig. 8, 45 tube. A fastening lug I9 which is secured to the Fig. 11 is a sectional view on a reduced scale taken on line II-II in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line I2-I2 in Fig. 11.

In Figs. l through "I of the accompanying E drawings, a gas mixer, adapted but not necessarily limited in use as a carburetor, is illustrated. According :to the present invention, an air feed pipe or tube I communicating with an intake manifold (not shown) has a mixing chamhub by a screw has slots 2l adapted to hold the blades in position. It desirable, the blades may be cut or stamped out of a single plate, whose central portion is secured between the lug and the hub.

Extending through opposed openings 2| in the mouth of the central chamber at the point oi smallest diameter is a rod 22, one end 23 of which is threaded and secured in a. threaded opening 2l in the air inlet tube and the other end of which extends through an opposed opening 25 in the tube. The threaded end 23 of the rod is solid but the remainder is hollow having a central passageway 26 which communicates with a fuel supply chamber for the carburetor (not shown). Small openings 21 in the hollow portion of the rod are adapted to supply fuel to the central passageway.

Located in the tube 5 is a throttle valve 28 of the butterfly type which regulates the flow of gas through the carburetor.

In the operation of the herein described device, air from the manifold intake enters the mixing chamber. Part of it enters the mouth 8 of the central chamber 1 and the remainder passes around the mouth thereof. The air entering the mouth increases its speed due to Venturi. action and in passing the openings 21 in the rod, draws fuel therefrom. The amount of fuel drawn from the openings is regulated by their position and the rod may be turned to change the position of the openings. The fuel and air from the mouth enters the interior channels |4, a. portion thereof entering each channel and thereby passes through the central mixing chamber 1. around the mouth of the central chamber enters the channels I6 exterior of the central chamber, a portion of the air entering each channel, and thereby passes through the mixing chamber. The

blades I8 adjacent to the outlet end of the mixing chamber bisect the openings thereof, and half the air from one chamber and half the mixed air and fuel from the adjoining chamber passes between adjacent blades. The curvature of the blades impart a whirling motion to the gas passing therebetween, thus insuring a thorough mixing of all the gas.

The above mixer, which is shown utilized as a carbureting device, may be used as a complement to present day carburetors. In such case, it would be positioned in the carburetor outlet pipe and it would not have the fuel supply rod 22 with central passageway 26 extending through the mouth of the central-chamber, but it would merely serve to insure a complete mixing of the gases which' have passed through the carburetor.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 11, A represents a fluid inlet pipe having an annular manifold 29 at its end portion and a threaded manifold inlet 30. B represents another fluid inlet pipe whose threaded end portion is secured D to the manifold inlet. Openings in the manifold communicate inwardly with passageways or ducts 3| whose inner walls extend toward the center of inlet pipe A. The pipes communicate with outlet openings in the end of pipe A. The walls form channels 32 in the central passageway of inlet pipe A. A central portion of inlet pipe A is closed by a hub 33. The outlet openings of channels 32 and ducts 3| from inlet pipe A and inlet pipe B, respectively, alternate around the hub.

A throat 34 having an outstanding peripheral flange 35 is removably secured to the inlet pipe A by screws 36. Mounted in the throat adjacent to the channel outlet openings is a mixing device comprising a series of radially disposed circumferentially spaced blades 31 having their edges adjacent to the mixing chamber straight and whose lower portions are curved or deflected laterally so as to deflect or spin the gas passing therebetween. The straight portions of these blades bisect the openings leading from the mixing chamber. The outer ends of the blades have a snug t with the tube. A cup 38 which is secured to the hub by a bolt :i9 has slots 40 adapted The air passing to hold the blades in position. If desirable, the blades may be cut or stamped out of a single plate. whose central portion is secured between the cup and the hub.

Removably secured to an outstanding circumferential flange 4| on the throat by screws 42 is a chamber 43 having an annular channel 44 extending therearound which communicates with an outlet opening 45. A mixing vane-impeller having a disc or base 46 and a hub 41 therefor is rotatably secured to 4a shaft 48 extending into said hub, said vane-impeller adapted to rotate clockwise. 'I'he shaft is rotatably connected to an electric motor 49. Blades 50 of the vane-impeller extend radially from the hub 41 and ngers 5| extending outwardly from the base 46 are positioned between the blades 50. The blades and fingers rotate with the base and are adapted to agitate the fluid and thereby aid in the mixing. The operation of the fluid mixer is as follows: Fluid enters the intake pipe A and is separated into smaller portions, some of which goes through each of the channels 32 therein. Another fluid enters the inlet pipe B and goes through the manifold 23, some going through each opening and duct 3| extending therefrom. The channels 32 from pipe A and ducts 3| from pipe B have alternate outlet openings which are bisected by the curved blades 31. Half of the fluid from one channel is thereby mixed with half from an adjacent channel. The blades 50 impart a whirling motion to the fluid which spins the mixture counterclockwise. The cup 38 forms eddies, thereby slowing the forward movement oh the fluid and aiding the mixing. The vane-impeller rotates clockwise, thereby reversing the movement of the fluid and causing it to pass through the path of the rotating blades 50 and fingers 5| to get to the outlet 45. By this arrangement, complete mixing is effected.

Obviously other modifications may be made, and we do not want to be limited to the precise constructions shown.

What we claim is:

l. A fluid mixer comprising a tube having an interior and an exterior mixing chamber therein, fluid supply means for said interior and said exterior chambers, said chambers having alternating channels separated from each other, said channels having adjacent radial outlet openings, and a mixing device having curved blades, each of said blades intersecting one of said openings and extending over a portion of an adjacent opening whereby a portion of the iiuid from one opening is mixed with a portion of the fluid from the adjacent opening and said blades whirling said mixture.

2. A mixer comprising a tube having an interior and an exterior mixing chamber therein, fluid supply means for said exterior and said interior chamber, said chambers having alternating channels separated from each other, said channels having adjacent radial outlet openings, and curved mixing blades, each blade intersecting one of said openings and having a portion thereof overlapping an adjacent opening, whereby a portion of the fluid from one opening is mixed with a portion of the fluid from the adjacent opening and said blades whirling said mixture whereby all of said gases are thoroughly mixed.

3. A mixer comprising a tube having a mixing chamber, said mixing chamber having a member forming a plurality of radially arranged channels therein having .alternate exterior and iti j faim) interior openings and a central passageway for said interiorly opening channels, fluid supply means for said channels, said channels having radialaoutlet openings at the end of said mixing chamber, and a plurality of curved blades intersecting said channel openings, each blade having its inner edge intersecting one of said openings and having its outer portion overlapping an adjacent opening.

4. A mixer comprising a tube having a coneshaped member therein, said cone-shaped member forming a plurality of radially arranged channels having alternate exterior and interior openings and said cone-shaped member having a central passageway having a fuel supply means for said interiorly opening channels and an air supply means for said tube, said channels having radial outlet openings at the end of said cone-shaped member, and a, plurality of curved blades intersecting said channel openings, the inner edge of each blade intersecting one of said openings and the outer portion overlapping an adjacent opening.

5. A mixer comprising a tube having a mixing chamber therein, said chamber having a cone-shaped member in the central portion thereof, said cone-shaped member forming a plurality of radially arranged channels having alternate exterior and interior openings and a central passageway having a mouth at the apex of said cone-shaped member, said channels having radial outlet openings at the end of said mixing chamber. and a plurality of curved mixing blades intersecting said channel openings, the inner edge of each of said blades intersecting one of said openings and the outer portion thereof overlapping an adjacent opening, and uid supply means for said exteriorly opening channels and uid supply means for said interiorly opening channels.

6. A mixer comprising a tube with a central passageway having a conical member in the central portion thereof, said member forming an interior and an exterior mixing chamber, said interior chamber having a mouth opening into said tube, said chambers having a plurality of radially extending channels, said channels opening interiorly and exteriorly in alteration and having adjacent radial outlet openings, curved blades, each blade intersecting one of said outlet openings of said channels, each of said blades having its inner edge adjacent to said channels straight and having its outer portion curved and overlapping an adjacent opening, and an air supply means for said tube, and a fuel pipe extending into the mouth of said conical members and having openings whereby fuel is supplied to said interior chamber.

'7. A mixer comprising a tube having a central passageway having a conical member in the central portion thereof, said conical member having a mouth opening into said tube, said conical member forming an interior and an exterior mixing chamber having a plurality of radially extending channels, said channels opening interiorly and exteriorly in alternation, a

mixing device having blades bisecting adjacent openings from said mixing chambers, each of said blades having their inner edges adjacent to the openings straight and having their outer portions curved and overlapping an adjacent opening, and an air supply means for said tube and a fuel supply tube extending into the mouth of said conical member, said tube having openings Whereby fuel is supplied to the interior chamber.

8. A fluid mixer comprising a tube having an interior mixing chamber and a manifold having ducts leading to the outlet of said mixing chamber, said manifold ducts forming alternating channels separated from each other, an inlet pipe for said manifold, said channels having adjacent outlet openings, and a mixing device having curved blades intersecting said openings, each blade intersecting one of said openings and having a portion overlapping an adjacent opening.

9. A mixer comprising a tube having a mixing chamber and a. plurality of radially arranged channels therein having alternate exterior and interior openings and an annular manifold extending circumferentially around said tube, said manifold having openings into said exterior openings of said channels, an inlet tube for said manifold, said channels having adjacent outlet openings at the end of said mixing chamber, and a plurality of curved blades intersecting said channel openings, each blade intersecting one of said openings and having a portion overlapping an adjacent opening.

10. A mixer comprising a. tube having an interior mixing chamber with a circumferential manifold extending therearound, said manifold having ducts leading to the outlet of said mixing chamber, an inlet pipe for said manifold, said ducts forming a plurality of channels in said mixing chamber, said channels having adjacent outlet openings, and a mixing device having curved blades, each of said blades intersecting one of said openings and having a portion overlapping an adjacent opening whereby a portion of the uid carried by one channel is mixed with a portion of the iiuid carried by the adjacent channel.

l1. A mixer comprising a tube having a mixing chamber therein, an annular tube with an inlet pipe extending therearound, said annular tube having interior openings leading to outlet ducts, said outlet ducts forming a plurality of radially extending channels in said mixing chamber, fluid supply means for said pipe and said tube, said channels having radial adjacent outlet openings, a mixing device having curved blades intersecting adjacent openings from said mixing chambers, each of said blades intersecting one of said openings and having its edge adjacent to the opening straight and having a curved portion overlapping an adjacent opening whereby a portion of the uid carried by one channel is mxed with a portion of the fluid carried by an adjacent channel.

' WILLIAM C. UHRI, JR.

WILLIAM P. GRU'NER, 

